The dictionary of the Royal Academy of Language (RAE) defines logo as “a peculiar graphic symbol of a company, commemoration, brand or product.” This “group of letters, abbreviations, figures, etc. cast in a single block to facilitate typographical composition”, as the second meaning of the word includes, they allow the entity or product it represents to be quickly and efficiently identified.
In the automotive industry there are a number of iconic logos that have become globally recognizable symbols. These logos, like those of Ferrari, Audi or Mercedes, are easily associated with their respective brands thanks to their distinctive design that they have built over the years. Some manufacturers, however, have chosen to change or modernize their logos to adapt to current trends and reflect the evolution of the brand. In any case, always maintaining iconic elements that are recognizable to its clients.
Lamborghini is one of the companies that has also redesigned its logo over time. But since its creation in 1947, the emblematic bull that identifies the Italian brand is an element rooted in its identity. It symbolizes the strength, aggressiveness and performance of the company's cars. However, this was not the initial purpose of Ferruco Lamborghini when after the success obtained with the manufacture of agricultural tractors he made his way into the world of luxury sports cars.
According to the most established theories, Ferruccio Lamborghini chose the bull as his logo because this was his zodiac sign, Taurus. There are also those who believe that he opted for this animal because of his love of bullfighting, which frequently took him to travel to Spain. The last time the Lamborghini logo was retouched was in 1998, widening the upper part of the inverted triangle and giving a more prominent role to the bull, now gold in color like the letters that identify the brand. In this last touch, the background of the logo went from white to black.
Despite its originality, the Lamborghini logo is not the only one that incorporates an animal. Many other automotive brands have also chosen to use animals in their logos to convey different characteristics and values associated with their products. For example, the Porsche logo features a prancing horse symbolizing strength and speed, while the Jaguar logo displays the stylized image of a feline, evoking elegance and agility.
In Spain, two now defunct brands, Authi and Tauro Sport Auto, have also used the figure of a bull in their respective logos. However, it is practically impossible to find any of his cars today, so one could say that his legacy has been relegated to the history of the Spanish automotive industry.
Authi, acronym for English Hispanic Touring Cars, was a Spanish automobile company born in the 1960s to produce vehicles from the British firm Morris under its own label. The factory was located in Landaben (Navarra), whose plant is currently owned by the Volkswagen Group. In the 70s and 80s, emblematic models such as the Morris and the Mini, as well as the Austin 1100 and the Austin 1800, came out of the Authi assembly line in the 70s and 80s.
Authi's logo was represented by a bull similar to Osborne's surrounded by the outline of the Iberian Peninsula. This choice, in addition to evoking the strength and resistance associated with the fighting bull, reflects the brand's Spanish roots and identity.
The logo is completed with three blue horizontal lines that symbolize the sea, thus adding a distinctive element that represents Authi's connection with the geographical environment of Spain.
Tauro Sport Auto, the other Spanish brand that incorporates the figure of a bull in its logo, has a more recent history than Authi. It emerged in early 2010, thanks to the efforts of a group of passionate entrepreneurs from Valladolid who partnered with a small British manufacturer of limited production vehicles.
The Tauro V8, its flagship model, is distinguished by its artisanal manufacturing and its inspiration in the Pontiac Solstice, incorporating a powerful V8 engine from a Chevrolet Corvette. Available in four different versions (Spider, Coupé, Saeta and Portago), this vehicle represents the fusion of elegance with exceptional performance.
The fighting bull that adorns the Tauro Sport Auto logo reflects the strength and distinctive character of the brand, evoking the passion and elegance associated with the Tauro V8 Spider, an exclusive model of which only 30 units were manufactured. Some examples of this supercar were exported to countries as diverse as Russia, the United Arab Emirates and China, so it is extremely unlikely to see it circulate on the roads of our country.
